Keegan Messing returns to competitive skating

[4everchan]

In Keegan's case, he had said that his body was no longer able to continue.... he needed to warm up and cool down forever at training... etc as recovering was no longer like it used to be. I have returned to "recreative" swimming this year and I know the feeling... I could swim every day before... now I need a day off between heavy trainings... Thankfully, I am not trying to compete

However, with elite athletes, what often happens is that after a period of rest, their bodies recover and they feel sometimes fitter than when they were in the peak of training/competing. So in that sense, I can see where he is coming from. He feels good. His jumps are back. It's only a short season if he is intending to only do the Olympics... His kids are older. Etc

Why not then? It's really his choice to make. It's his sacrifices to make, because he will have to train and work hard. He will have to travel to competitions, not seeing his kids. He will have to provide his whereabouts and be tested by WADA regularly... He will have to be the center of these 8 page long threads where people discuss his life choices ad nauseam

Kudos to any athlete, who, by love of the sport and competing, and by respect for what it means to be selected to represent their country for the Olympic games, go through "unretirement".

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Good for Keegan! I know Roman is wanting and was likely getting that Olympic spot (or maybe Stephen) but maybe this the motivation they needed.

Keegan also (if he makes it) deserves to do the team event (he could have done the team SP in 2018 for example and snagged a gold - Canada only fielded 2 women for SP and FS and could have maxed out with Messing or even more deservedly Weaver/Poje).

 

[4everchan]

Good for Keegan! I know Roman is wanting and was likely getting that Olympic spot (or maybe Stephen) but maybe this the motivation they needed.

Keegan also (if he makes it) deserves to do the team event (he could have done the team SP in 2018 for example and snagged a gold - Canada only fielded 2 women for SP and FS and could have maxed out with Messing or even more deservedly Weaver/Poje).

I never thought they would have Keegan skating in 2018 but justice for Weapo indeed (and no, I am not super upset they didn't get to skate... Canada did what they thought they needed to do and it's not their fault some others underperformed)

 

[Elyse]

I looked up the results of the Team Event, and in the SP Roman placed 8th of 9 skaters, and 5th of 5 skaters in the LP with a FS score of 122 (!!). The recent winner of the Junior Women's JGP this week had a 121 score. Team Canada lost the bronze by 2 points (Russia had 54 points overall to Canada's 53). Had Keegan been there they would have easily secured a bronze medal. In the Men's Event he placed 29th out of 29 with a SP score of 62, which would have placed him 5th at the JrWomen's JGP this week, and didn't qualify for the FS. I would say that Roman doesn't deserve to be ANYWHERE near the team next year. He hasn't established himself at all the last 3 years. I guess I'm #TeamKeegan4Olympics2026 unless Gogolev does something special. But Roman had his Olympic experience. He literally placed ahead of only ONE skater across the three programs he skated there. The definition of insanity is repeating your mistakes hoping for a better outcome. Don't be insane, SkateCanada.

 

[saine]

I looked up the results of the Team Event, and in the SP Roman placed 8th of 9 skaters, and 5th of 5 skaters in the LP with a FS score of 122 (!!). The recent winner of the Junior Women's JGP this week had a 121 score. Team Canada lost the bronze by 2 points (Russia had 54 points overall to Canada's 53). Had Keegan been there they would have easily secured a bronze medal. In the Men's Event he placed 29th out of 29 with a SP score of 62, which would have placed him 5th at the JrWomen's JGP this week, and didn't qualify for the FS. I would say that Roman doesn't deserve to be ANYWHERE near the team next year. He hasn't established himself at all the last 3 years. I guess I'm #TeamKeegan4Olympics2026 unless Gogolev does something special. But Roman had his Olympic experience. He literally placed ahead of only ONE skater across the three programs he skated there. The definition of insanity is repeating your mistakes hoping for a better outcome. Don't be insane, SkateCanada.

And since then Roman has scored 80+ in the short program at Worlds three times. Using his first Olympic experience and his short program after subbing in for the team event with a few hours notice to decide he doesn't deserve a second shot doesn't reflect what he's done since then. He lost almost a whole year of competition due to injury and travel issues, and has improved his consistency over the 2024-25 season. He has delivered short programs under pressure at Worlds, including with Olympic spots on the line. And after the Olympics, it was his performance at 2022 Worlds that kept the two spots for Canada, not Keegan's performance.

For all the talk about how Roman fans are reacting, there sure are a lot of people using this as an opportunity to drag Roman when he hasn't done anything except dye his hair pink.

 

[4everchan]

I guess i should start a thread for team Gogo

or maybe one for team Jojo as i still dream of the day that Jo Phan will unretire .. and be healthy

on a serious note...

QUE SERA SERA

let the boys have a good skate and let the best one earns his spot.

 

[TontoK]

In Keegan's case, he had said that his body was no longer able to continue.... he needed to warm up and cool down forever at training... etc as recovering was no longer like it used to be. I have returned to "recreative" swimming this year and I know the feeling... I could swim every day before... now I need a day off between heavy trainings... Thankfully, I am not trying to compete

Well, off topic, but I can relate to your return to swimming. Earlier this year, I hit the pool doing laps for the first time in nearly 40 years! To say it was humbling is an understatement. A mile would be a light warmup swim back in the day. It took me MONTHS to work up to a mile swim in my "comeback", but I finally made it, although that did include some minute rests thrown in. Still counts in my book, which is the only one that matters. A couple of guys tried to get me to join their master's program - I think the team probably needed some older geezers, and by not drowning, I could surefire score some points in my age group. Sorry, but no.

Edit: I could only swim once a week, and the guys who wanted me to join their team obviously took this endeavor way, way, way more seriously than I did.

 

[4everchan]

Well, off topic, but I can relate to your return to swimming. Earlier this year, I hit the pool doing laps for the first time in nearly 40 years! To say it was humbling is an understatement. A mile would be a light warmup swim back in the day. It took me MONTHS to work up to a mile swim in my "comeback", but I finally made it, although that did include some minute rests thrown in. Still counts in my book, which is the only one that matters. A couple of guys tried to get me to join their master's program - I think the team probably needed some older geezers, and by not drowning, I could surefire score some points in my age group. Sorry, but no.

Edit: I could only swim once a week, and the guys who wanted me to join their team obviously took this endeavor way, way, way more seriously than I did.

I have considered joining master's program but it's further and earlier in the day and I mean, I still need to sleep and work so I cannot join at this point... congrats to you.

 

[snowflake]

To be competing at this level, the elite... top 20-30 skaters in the world, with such a difficult sport on the body, you cannot just show up after a while and hope for the best. Serious training and commitment are required and these athletes deserve the ultimate respect.

this!

’Swanning back’ sounds like a retired skater just put skates on their feet hit the ice and have a the performance of their life.

Of course I don’t know Keegan personally. But if sneaky means how it’s translated in Swedish(lömsk) it’s the last word I would have associated with Keegan

You go Keegan!

 

[Cutting the ice]

During Covid lockdown when the gyms were not open, Keegan prepped for the Olympics by running up and down mountains carrying 2 chainsaws. I doubt Keegan would even know how to “swan”.

 

[Skater Boy]

I can see how people might have mixed feelings about Keegan's return. Many of us love his engaging personality and the huge entertainment factor He is not lyrical like Jason Brown but he brings performance even his humps when no perfec exude a certain energy.. Some will say it is time for someone else to have a turn but it is a sport and people are out for themselves. May the best skater win.

I respect the comment Roman earned the single spot for Canada to compete at the olympics. That is a double edged sword. He won i and he lost "it"; he was not able to secure two spots. Roman has had many opportunities and really has not done very well. IN consistent is nice. At the 2022 olympics not to blame him but all three skates (he did not qualify for the fourth skate) were unmitgated poorly done and yes, Keegan would have almost assuredly earned Canada the bronze. But ofor Covid. Gogo has had years since we saw a gangly teen with quads to develop strength, tech and artistry and whether it be growth or injury hasnot put it together. Roman could have been the next Patrick Chan but he will not get the pcs because he doesn't have the consistency nor the skating skills of Chan. Throughout the last quadrenniel ROman has not increased hsi tech and not gotten more consistent. As much as many say Keegan has had his cance so have Gogo and Roman - they just haven't seized it. To be clear no one on purposely gets injured or skates poorly b choice. But Roman has had chances and in some cases didn't even qualify to skate the free. Still he is a beautiful skater and could be a Chan or Brown. IN many ways Gogo and Roman created the opportunity for Keegan to return. Now may the best skater represent Canada.

 

[saine]

Beverly Smith wrote an article with more details.

Keegan Messing Unretires: It's not crazy - Bev Smith Writes

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. Keegan Messing is now 33, with a fine spiderweb of white hair among his dark locks. And he’s just caused a rumble by deciding to unretire and set his sights on the Milan Olympic Games next February. It’s not crazy. Not when you see him on ice, slipping around an ice pad with […]

bevsmithwrites.com

He's training a 4S and 4Lz due to an Achilles heel injury flaring when landing quads, and will be competing in a domestic competition in Texas at the end of September.

 

[Skater Boy]

Well he got his minimums for a Challenger but i think he needs two events at least to really return. His pcs were fabulous. But his jumps are a hot mess He doesn't have a Triple toe combo on the back end of a quad or triple jump. He doesn't have a quad jump yet and not all his triples. It is October. I am not sure there is enough time to mouht a great comeback. Gogo his get decent pcs sudenly and Roman isn't being rewarded for his pcs as much but as much as I like Keegan it is hard to see him com peting without the jumps though his skating skills and on ince precence maybe rivals Jason Brown but he needs to get the levels and jumps and that is hard whether it be injury or now time. But fingers crossed. As much as Mikail, Ilia and the Japanese men and Cha are ruling the podium there is something organic about Keegan. I just am worried that like not having enough room in a rink for a jump; there's not enough time for Messing to regain his tools to fight.

 

[YuBluByMe]

Wait, hold up. Apparently I’m missing a lot. Heh, that Nebelhorn result makes a lot of sense now. I have no issues with Messing returning to competition and earning an Olympic spot. He’s over 30 and has not competed in two years. He wouldn’t even be considered if any of the other Canadian men have firmly established themselves in that time. But they have not and it’s not Messing’s fault if he’s well aware.

On Sadovsky & the team spot: I’m glad Canada did not win a team bronze; I loudly advocated that either Russia should win the medal or none should be awarded at all. Sadovsky’s abysmal performance was part of that, but it wasn’t the only reason. My opinion has not changed.

With that being said, Sadovsky’s Olympic skates were the worst he’s ever skated. I don’t expect that sort of low to happen twice. His results at Worlds, to include the post-Olympic Worlds, have been good. Not top ten, earning a second spot good, but good enough. I remember his SP at 2024 Worlds was one of my favorites and he skated clean. I trust that he can make a free as he’s done it in all his Worlds appearances. Also, I’m sure he wants to redeem his 2022 experience. For this reason, I will be rooting for Sadovsky to win the spot.

But I’m certainly not going to be shedding any tears if it goes to Messing.

Or Gogolev.

However, with elite athletes, what often happens is that after a period of rest, their bodies recover and they feel sometimes fitter than when they were in the peak of training/competing.

Elite athletes aren’t ordinary human beings and are likely to maintain great fitness even when they’re much older. Jumping off on your swimming example: I was an elite sprinter and I kept myself in excellent shape, but I cannot replicate my times when I was younger. I simply cannot do it and it’s not for lack of trying. But funnily enough, I have become a serious distance runner which is something I actually couldn’t do when I was younger. I cannot train how I used to, but I also think some sports don’t necessarily favor youth. Bowling? Golf? Tennis?

 

[4everchan]

Elite athletes aren’t ordinary human beings and are likely to maintain great fitness even when they’re much older. Jumping off on your swimming example: I was an elite sprinter and I kept myself in excellent shape, but I cannot replicate my times when I was younger. I simply cannot do it and it’s not for lack of trying. But funnily enough, I have become a serious distance runner which is something I actually couldn’t do when I was younger. I cannot train how I used to, but I also think some sports don’t necessarily favor youth. Bowling? Golf? Tennis?

I am no longer fast either but I have a new found endurance which is great as I can train and enjoy myself. I wouldn't want to race a sprint at this point I am not a serious swimmer at this point but I do swim twice a week for a 60 minute training session (with a coach). I am improving but will never get back to where I was but that's all great

I hope Keegan gets his arsenal back in time for him to be competitive. May the best skater win. I just saw Wesley Chiu compete at the BC Autumn Leaves event. He has his all his triples back (he didn't try a triple loop but he probably doesn't need one). His program looks like he would be doing 4 sal and 4 toe but he didn't go for them today in the LP. The triple axel is solid.

It will be a very interesting competition with four guys going to the elusive spot.

 

[Skater Boy]

Could Skate Canada appoint a skater to the olympics and a different one for the world championships. I could see them want ting to see how the representative does at the olympics befoe saying they get the world spot as well. I have a soft spot for three of them especially. Gogo I always thought would be eventually a Canadian champion and world threat but then he grew a lot and injuries took over and he never developed much style Now he is getting his jumps back. Admittedly I expected him by now to be the Ilia but it is what it is. Then there was Roman who I thought he would be the next Patrick Chan or at least EMmanual Sandhu. He has such a wonderful glide and lilt and pure skating skills reminscent of Chan but struggled with consistency and sometimes can be quite slow. He too like Gogo and former skaters like junior world champion (I believe) and former top 5 skater Nam Nguyen seemd exceptionally tall for skaters. Keegan at least has been in the top ten. Keegan is a natural performer and not in the classical sense but more of a Elvis or Michael Weiss. There is some energizing about watching him. I would love him to get the Quad toe, sal and lutz. He has a joy when he skates. But he needs internatinal experience - I personally think he needs at least two challengers but he can't go without at least one quad and all his triples. He didn't get a triple triple even. His content is lower than the top ladies right now. I find Wesley a competent skater but not paricularly excited. I kind of think Gogo needs the tricks as he was the jumper. Roman and Keegan do have something special artistically. Oh Canada it is going to be a barn burner and there will be carnage and tears come canada Nationals.

 

[4everchan]

Could Skate Canada appoint a skater to the olympics and a different one for the world championships.

It is possible and it does happen anyway as some. Olympians retire right after the games.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Wait, hold up. Apparently I’m missing a lot. Heh, that Nebelhorn result makes a lot of sense now. I have no issues with Messing returning to competition and earning an Olympic spot. He’s over 30 and has not competed in two years. He wouldn’t even be considered if any of the other Canadian men have firmly established themselves in that time. But they have not and it’s not Messing’s fault if he’s well aware.

On Sadovsky & the team spot: I’m glad Canada did not win a team bronze; I loudly advocated that either Russia should win the medal or none should be awarded at all. Sadovsky’s abysmal performance was part of that, but it wasn’t the only reason. My opinion has not changed.

With that being said, Sadovsky’s Olympic skates were the worst he’s ever skated. I don’t expect that sort of low to happen twice. His results at Worlds, to include the post-Olympic Worlds, have been good. Not top ten, earning a second spot good, but good enough. I remember his SP at 2024 Worlds was one of my favorites and he skated clean. I trust that he can make a free as he’s done it in all his Worlds appearances. Also, I’m sure he wants to redeem his 2022 experience. For this reason, I will be rooting for Sadovsky to win the spot.

But I’m certainly not going to be shedding any tears if it goes to Messing.

Or Gogolev.


Elite athletes aren’t ordinary human beings and are likely to maintain great fitness even when they’re much older. Jumping off on your swimming example: I was an elite sprinter and I kept myself in excellent shape, but I cannot replicate my times when I was younger. I simply cannot do it and it’s not for lack of trying. But funnily enough, I have become a serious distance runner which is something I actually couldn’t do when I was younger. I cannot train how I used to, but I also think some sports don’t necessarily favor youth. Bowling? Golf? Tennis?

Elite athletes are more ordinary than you may think. Also, there are many a former elite athlete (just look in the figure skating kiss and cry aka coaches) that are definitely not keeping up with fitness and that's their business and no one else's honestly.